O-Coy Gradex - "I love it when a plan comes together"

Chris during the day nav, a bit wet after one of the many showers of rain

The O-Coy Gradex was held last Saturday- the 5 participants and directing staff met up at HQ for a briefing and the written tests. At noon our driver Charles arrived to ship us off to the starting point of the Day Nav which was in Birzebugia close to Borg in-Nadur.

Alan during the pioneering check point at Torri tal-Wardija

Andrew tying a sheepshank

The sky did not hold up for the recruits who had to endure the on/off showers throughout the day nav. They trekked mostly on the southern coast passing by Torri tal-Wardija and ending up at Ghar Lapsi where we set up bivvies for the night. Some built lean-to bivvies while others set up camp in a cave and some creative fellow built a house out of doors and other furniture he found lying around. The sky had cleared up by 0100 when the Unit awoke to prepare for transit to the night nav starting point.

George asleep in his cave

The recruits took off their blindfolds somewhere along the Dingli Cliffs where very little was visible except the stars, sea and some lights in the distance. Some managed to discern Mtarfa and the Knisja tad-Dumnikani in Rabat and carryout back bearings; others worked out their location by comparing the roads and shape of the cliffs to the map.

Terrence and George having a much needed brew-up after the Day nav

The house that Andrew built

The night nav took our Recruits further north towards Mgarr and Zebbiegh, up to Hotba ta San Martin and ending at Dwejra.

Terrence navigating while Martin watches over him

The SAR & medevac was carried out at Dwejra with two casualties who had fallen unconcious amongst the trees and broken buildings. Both were saved in time and treated accordingly.

Action during the Medevac at Dwejra

Although the Directing Staff still have to calculate the walking times and incident points all the 5 recruits completed the Gradex so it's looking good for now.

On Tuesday we're going out for pizza to celebrate a job well done... and next week we're off to Gozo for a weekend of SVS mayhem!



Mo$es